The “Short Leg” Myth: Why It’s Not the Root of Your Pain

Have you ever been told one of your legs is shorter than the other? Maybe someone pulled your shoes off, lined up your ankles, and declared, “See, this leg is shorter—that’s why you’re in pain.”

It sounds convincing. It feels like a neat, tidy explanation. And it gives a clear “fix”—a lift in your shoe, endless adjustments, or some gadget that promises to level you out.

Here’s the problem: this “short leg” diagnosis is basically made up. And people spend crazy amounts of money chasing it when it has nothing to do with their pain.

We Love a Quick Fix

It’s human nature. We want a single reason for why something hurts, and we want a quick fix for it.

So when someone says, “Your back pain? It’s because your leg is shorter,” it feels good to finally have an answer. Even if that answer isn’t real.

The truth? Small leg length differences are incredibly common. Almost everyone has them. And unless you were born with a major discrepancy (which is rare), it’s not why you’re hurting.

What the Research Actually Shows

• Minor leg length differences (less than 2 cm) don’t cause pain. Period.

• Your body is designed to adapt. People run marathons, lift heavy weights, and live full, active lives with measurable differences in leg length—and they’re pain-free.

• Pain comes from how we move, how we load our bodies, and how we recover… not from being “crooked” or “uneven.”

Why the Short-Leg Story Won’t Die

Honestly? Because it sells.

It’s easy to blame pain on a “short leg.” It makes the problem sound mechanical and fixable. And it opens the door for endless adjustments, inserts, and treatments that keep you coming back.

But here’s the reality: you don’t need a shoe lift for a few millimeters of difference. You need better movement strategies, strength, and recovery habits. Those are the things that actually change how you feel—not a piece of foam in your sneaker.

Stop Chasing Made-Up Fixes

We live in a world where it’s easy to drop money on quick fixes—pillows, braces, insoles, massage gadgets, supplements. And yet, most of the time, the real solution is much less glamorous: moving better, building strength, and learning how to manage flare-ups when they happen.

At Momentum Spine and Sport, we don’t waste your time (or money) on made-up diagnoses. We look at how you move, figure out what’s really driving your pain, and then give you the tools to fix it—for good.

👉 Tired of chasing quick fixes that don’t last? Let’s focus on what actually works. Book your free discovery visit today and get back to living without the “short leg” story holding you back.